Thursday, November 27, 2014

Here's wishing you a happy Thanksgiving Day! I hope your day has been as special as mine has been. We spent the day at our family's cabin. The day kicked off with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, followed by a traditional Thanksgiving feast. I feel like a stuffed turkey! Whew! Exercise is on the agenda for tomorrow, but today I rest and enjoy family.

I have always loved Thanksgiving, because it is a day to celebrate family. I miss my son who is no longer with us, but sweet memories of him are never far from my mind. Loss makes us more appreciative of loved ones who are present. Today, I celebrate family and sweet memories. I am so thankful for all the goodness in my life. I am thankful for my work, my friends, and you, the readers of my blog.

Hickory Chair is always a favorite stop for me during High Point Market and this market was no exception. I love the vivacious Alexa Hampton and hearing from her the inspiration behind her Hickory Chair collections each market. The old saying the "apple doesn't fall far from the tree" is certainly true of Alexa Hampton. Daughter of famed designer, Mark Hampton, Alexa always produces a collection that secures her place as one of the top designers in the world of interior design. The collection was sexy, dramatic and rooted in classic design. The room was painted in a signature Mark Hampton color. The collection featured new introductions and favorites from past collections reintroduced in new fabrics, finishes and custom details.

I asked Alexa what her favorite piece was in the collection and she responded in an almost offended tone of "that is like asking me who my favorite child is"! She then laughed and said that there were so many favorites it was hard to choose one singular piece but loved how the chairs below turned out with the red and white fabric and red detail trim.

Some of the furniture pieces were inspired by antique furniture in Alexa's own home. Close attention to scale was particular important to Alexa. She shared how important it is to have furniture of an in between scale that can work to marry antiques with current oversized pieces to fill larger scale rooms in homes of today. Note the graffiti inspired art on the back wall of the show room created by Alexa. It's unexpected, modern details like this graffiti art, mixed with classical silhouttes that defines Alexa's signature style.

I'm always anxious to see what colors or wall treatments Alexa will use to show case her new market introductions. The hallmark of a good designer is creating a room from the ground up, so even though furniture is what is being introduced, careful thought is given the the room as a whole. The back drop becomes as important as the furniture in telling the story of the collection. Alexa's room compositions often result in rich, saturated color, pattern and texture which are carefully crafted by her experienced, well trained eye.

This was my favorite vignette designed by Alexa for October 2014 market. The geometric fabric on the sofa keeps the room from feeling too serious. The asymmetrically placed gallery wall featuring Alexa's interpretation of classical art also lends a fresh look to the room. Another interesting fact: Alexa created 32 painting to complete her vision for the collection, after the rave reviews her original artwork received at the April market.

I love the Eva arm chair with red trim and the Austin bench with leather

Here is a close up of the trim on the Eva armchair. It's the finer details like this trim that we have come to expect from Alexa's exquisite furniture design from Hickory Chair.

I loved this beautiful velvet, tufted bed sleigh bed in deep green. After walking around all day at market, it was all I could do not to fall on the bed and take a nap! Like the entire collection, this vignette was grounded in sophisticated, yet casual elegance.

Although, the lighting in the new show room wasn't conducive to my amateur photography, I did catch Alexa in a cute pose relaxing and enjoying one of the sofas in her collection! Kudos Alexa for a job well done!

Monday, November 24, 2014

Have you ever questioned why you should hire a designer? I mean come on, you can copy a room from Pinterest and order similar products from Restoration Hardware can't you? You can buy complete vignette off the floor at Pottery Barn as an option too. Is that what you want your home to say about you? Fast, easy and well I want to say cheap, but let's face it, buying retail is an investment too. Decorating your home from the big box stores isn't cheap, but you get a look that is generic. Do you really want to invest your hard earned dollars in furniture that

As a designer, buying from the big box stores is something I don't understand. Why would you want cookie cutter interiors, when you can have a custom look for a little more money? Our homes tell a story about us, do you really want your story to be bland and average or what I call the "vanilla" decorating look?

A true designer works hard to create a custom look that speaks to your design aesthetic and tells your story. Sure designers sometimes buy filler pieces from retailers to finish out a room and stay on budget, but the majority of items are often custom tailored for the client's project. Customization is what sets your home apart from your neighbor's house. One of the companies designers often look to for customization is Hickory Chair.

Hickory Chair Furniture Company has been creating custom furniture since 1911 in Hickory, North Carolina. It's hard to believe this company has been creating beautiful furniture for over one hundred years! To think, Hickory Chair began with a made-to-order dining chair and simple vision. Today, Hickory Chair's furniture continues to be made to order by a talented team of artisans. The company has maintained its original vision of custom craftsmanship and timely service. Have you seen all the beautiful furniture Hickory Chair is creating these days? Wow, is all I can say! Pop over to their website and see the complete collection from Hickory Chair.

I visited the Hickory Chair Showroom during High Point Market and fell in love with the Everett Lounger silhouette shown here. As I walked through the showroom, I saw the Everett chair in several fabrics with custom details tweaked to create various looks. This is a great example of how Hickory Chair's customization can create unique furniture for your home.

The Everett is shown in a creme fabric, with leather piping and buttons for

a more casual look.

I've shown you the same chair offered in three different options, are you amazed at how differently the fabrications look? This is a small example of the many ways this chair can be crafted to meet the demands of a custom designed room. The next time you are redecorating a room in your home. Ask yourself, "do I want something my neighbor can buy or do I want something unique for my home." I'll bet in the long run you will save money by hiring the designer and getting a custom look, which won't be on sale in six months when the retailer's catalogue rolls out with a new look. Custom created designs have longevity because we don't tire from seeing them advertised all over the place. Quality furniture like Hickory Chair offers bench made quality, which lasts longer than mass produced furniture too.

Friday, November 21, 2014

new series of their pink ribbon welcome mats and I was lucky enough to be asked to participate!

Above is the mat I designedand will be giving away, so enter now til December 1st ! My rug features my former logo designed by the talented graphic artist, the talented Jill Seale. The blue on the sides, is the tab from the Carpet One scroll bar. The rug colors are grey, green and black.I am so happy to announce I partnered with Carpet One Floor and Hometo design one of their Pink Ribbon durable indoor-outdoor mat to support breast cancer research. On December 1st, I'll give away one of my custom designed door mats to one of you! (may be more!)